Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center Encourages Parents To Teach Their Children Sun Safety Tips

Published June 2, 2008

 
Mary Vecchio, RN at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center demonstrates how to apply sunscreen to students at Bright Tomorrows Child Care Center at Hunterdon Medical Center. Pictured (left to right) Cassidy, Genine and Jayden  listen to Mrs Vecchio during her presentation.  The children all made hats as part of their sun safety lesson.

Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States.  More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Skin cancer rates are higher in Hunterdon County than other areas in New Jersey.  Hunterdon accounts for 27.2 cases of melanoma for every 100,000 people.  According to Mary Vecchio, RN at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, "If you can encourage children to put sunscreen on at a young age it will become part of their everyday habits." 

Mrs. Vecchio recommends teaching kids to protect their skin by using the slip, slop, slap approach which emphasizes that children should slip on a shirt to protect their skin with clothing; slop on sunscreen with a sunscreen of 15 or higher and slap on a hat to protect their ears, neck and face.  "Applying sunscreen to children is extremely important.  One bad sunburn in there youth will double their chances of getting skin cancer when they are an adult," emphasized Vecchio.

The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.  In fact about 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell.  They are most common on areas exposed to the sun such as the head and neck.  They are usually slow growing cancers and rarely spread to distant parts of the body.  However, if not treated, they can grow into nearby areas and invade the bone or other tissues beneath the skin.

Squamous cell carcinomas account for 20% of all skin cancers.  Like basal cell, they also form on sun-exposed areas.  Squamous cell cancers are more likely to invade tissues beneath the skin, and are more likely to spread to distant parts of the body.  Melanoma is the skin cancer to watch out for.  It accounts for only four percent of skin cancers, yet causes 79% of skin cancer deaths.  Melanoma is almost always curable in its earliest stages, but it is also the most likely type of skin cancer to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Too much exposure to strong sunlight, especially when resulting in sunburns, is one of the major risk factors for developing skin cancer.  As the warm summer months approach and people head outdoors, their risk increases.  But there are things people can do to limit their exposure to the sun.

The following are strategies for protecting yourself from sun exposure:

• Wear a wide brimmed hat, protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, applied 20 minutes before going into the sunlight and reapplied every 2 hours.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to offer protection to the eyes from reflected radiation.
• Avoid exposure during 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Remember that sunlight can reflect off water, sand, and concrete and can reach below the water's surface.
• Children need extra protection.  Encourage them to play in the shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.
• Caution: Children age 6 months or younger should not wear sun screen.

The earlier a skin cancer is detected, the greater the chance for successful treatment. Spots on the skin that change in size, shape or color should be seen by a doctor right away.  Skin cancers are rarely painful.  Any unusual sore, lump, blemish, marking, or change in the way an area of the skin looks or feels may be a sign of skin cancer. Many people may not realize that skin cancer screening is an exam that is usually covered by their insurance. 

If you have questions or concerns consult your physician and ask to be screened.   If you need a physician, call Hunterdon Medical Center's Physician Referral Service at 1-800-511-4462.